Drying machine



Nov. 6, 1928.

- 1,690,436 W. W. SIBSON ET AL DRYING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet l TILTL I 45 in inga 2/ 2 TH J il W 1! i J W 5 1' 1 i I a Ll ii 1/] 1| WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

Nov. 6, 1928. 1,690,436

W. W. SIBSON ET AL DRYING MACHINE Filed June 5, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2- g7 FI 12:

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Patented Nov. 6, 1928 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

WALTER W. SIBSON AND HARRY H. WIGGLESWORTH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYL- VANIA, ASSIGNORS TO THE PHILADELPHIA DRYING MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

DRYING MACHINE.

Application filed June 5,

This invention relates to drying machines serviceable to simultaneously dry and shape articles of apparel, and it has more particular reference to machines characterized by an annular enclosure, through which articlecarrying forms are progressed with capacity for exterior presentation to permit removal of the dried articles, and their replacement with fresh ones to be treated.

An important object of our invention is to provide a machine of the foregoing typified character distinguished by,novel progressing means, functional also to enter and ejectthe form carriers by eXtensile-retractile action along direct radial lines.

Other objects inhering to this invention reside in an automatic drying machine, as characterized in the preceding paragraph, whereby the operations of boarding and stripping are more expeditiously effected; circulation of the drying medium is accomplished in a manner conducive of maximum efiiciency; increased capacity is. attained; while said machine is comparatively cheap to construct, compact in form, and excep tlonally efficient in action.

In the further disclosure of our invention reference will be made to the accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings, constituting a part hereof, the same illustrating one practical embodiment chosen as best adapted to exemplify its important characteristics and modus operandi; and, on said drawings, corresponding parts are distinguished by like indices in all the views. 7

Fig. I is an elevation of a drying machine conventionally embodying this invention, and serviceable as a hosiery dryer.

Fig. II, is an enlarged part-sectional fragmentary plan of a form turning means, hereinafter more fully explained.

Fig. III, is a detail end view of the novel form carrying arms particularly featured in this disclosure.

IV, is a top plan view of the drying machine with part removed, and in section, to better disclose ceitain underlying features.

Fig. V, is an enlarged, part-sectional, elevation of one of the novel form carrying arms and associated instrumentalities.

. Fig. VI, is an enlarged fragmentary, partscctional, plan of the form carrier-progressmg, and radially-reciprocating, mechanism.

1924. Serial No. 717,941.

Fig. VIII, is a plan view of a means functional to impart intermittent rotary motion to the form carriers of this invention.

In accordance with the organization illustrated, we construct a cylindrical enclosure 8, of sheet metal, which is supported by an appropriate framework of standard section verticals 9braced by transverse annuli 10- at an elevation above floor level 11, to ac commodate certain mechanisms later on fully described. This enclosure 8, is provided with a roof 12 and relatively inset bot-tom 13, and concentrically surmount-ing the former is a funnel-shaped dome 14, fitted with a controllable exhaust outlet 15, in accordance with known practice.

Conveniently supported co-axially within the cylindrical enclosure 8, by means of a transverse beam or beams 16, is a tubular conduit 17, the upper end whereof is partially closed-in to provide a housing 18, for the horizontally rotatable fan 19, journaled in a vertical bearing 20. Rotary motion is imparted to the fan 19, by means of a bevel couple 21, driven by the counter-shaft 22, journaled in bearings 23; and said countershaft has motion imparted thereto from any convenient source of power, by means of a belt transmission applied to the pulley 2-l Fig. IV. Heating coils 25, indicated only in Fig. VI, are located within the enclosure 8, and conveniently adjacent the outer wall thereof, through which a suitable medium is circulated in the well known way. I

The preceding brief description, of the structural outline of our improved rotary drying machine, is to establish a proper perspective with regard to the novel form-ma nipulating and progressing mechanisms, now to be described, and, which constitute the fundamental distinguishing characteristics of this invention. Primarily, however, it is to be particularly remarked that the enclosure bottom 13, is in the nature of a turntable having a series of radial and inwardly directed open-ended slots 26, functional as spacers and non-contacting guideways for the forms 27, in the manner hereafter set forth. This turntable, or better defined rotatable bottom 13, may be made as an integral unit -or be composed of quadrant or sector sections-secured by bolts 28, to the upper lateral flange 29, of an annular spider 30,

a lower lateral flange 35, the underface whereof is fashioned with aseries of tangential ratchet-teeth 36, whereby the rotatable bottom 13 is intermittently progressed by mechanism later on explained. Note is to be madethat the number of ratchet teeth 36, equals that of the radial slots 26, or total form-capacity of the machine.

Surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the annular spider 30, are a series of lugs '01 abutments 37, to which the inner ends of rectangular section, radially directed, tubular arms 38 are attached by set screws 39, said arms being of a length to coincide with the outer circumferential edge of the rotatable bottom 13. I It is also to be observed that the radial arms 38, are longitudinally slotted in their upper and lower walls at 40, 41, respectively, in direct vertical alignment with the open ended slots 26, 0f the rotatable bottom 13. Furthermore, the outer ends of the radial arms 38, are attached in parallelism, below the rotatable bottom 13, by stirrup straps 42 in any convenient manner, such as riveting or welding. Freely slidable within each radial arm 38, is a floating section 43, of complemental cross section, the same having opposed longitudinal slots 44, 45 registering with the slots 40, 41 above referred to. Reciprocable within, and relative to each arm 38, and floating section 43, is a rectangular se tion bar 46, near the outer end whereof a form 27 is mounted, by means of a pivot pin 47, under the action of a recoil spring 48- Fig. III; and, at the inner end of each bar 46 is rigidly attached a depending stud or projection 49, by means of which said bar, and the floating section 43, are extended or retracted relative to the radial arm 38, in the manner, and through the medium of mechanism, new to be described.

Journaled by bearings 50, in the sub-framework of the machine, is a transverse shaft 51, rotatable by a belt drive 52, and stepped pulleys 53, from the countershaft 22, hereinbefore referred to; and said shaft 51 is provided with a worm 54, in mesh with a worm wheel 55, splined on a horizontal shaft 56, rotatable in bearings 57 attached to the subframework. Keyed, or otherwise secured, on the shaft 56, is a sprocket 58 about which is trained a chain 59, adapted to drive a second sprocket 60, on a stub-shaft 61 journa ed in bearings 62; and said stub-shaft, in turn, by means of a sprocket 63, imparts motion to a chain 64, trained about an idler wheel 65,

appropriately journaled by an axle 66, in bearings 67, likewise securely mounted on the brace bearers 34. Integral with, or laterally projecting from, one of the links of the chain 64, is a lug or pin 68, which, during the travel of said chain, engages the depending stud 49, below each successive bar 46,- and, moves the same inwardly, as well as the float-- ing section 43, relative to the associated radial arm 38, as will be best appreciated from an examination of Fig. VII.

Splined on the horizontal shaft 56, is a bevel gear 69 in mesh with a complemental gear 70, secured to a short shaft 71, journaled in bearings 72; and, said shaft is provided with a sprocket 73, which, by means of a chain transmission 74, drives a sprocket 7 5 on a stub axle 76, rotatable in bearings 77, afforded secure support by the machine sub-framework. On the stub axle 76, is a second sprocket 78, about which is trained an endless chain 79, co-operating with an idler sprocket 80, the axle whereof is journaled in bearings 81; and said chain is likewise provided with a laterally projecting lug or pin 82, functional to more the parts 46 43, outwardly relative to the radial arms 38, or in a reverse direction to that effected by the aforementioned lug or pin 68, as hereafter more fullyexplained.

Intermittent rotary motion is imparted to the bottom 13, by means of what may be conveniently termed a flexible pawling mechaa. msm, Figs. VII and VIII, embracing a twoarmed rocker tappet 83, fulcrumed at 84 in suitable bearings 85, and having its outer arm lying in the path of the lug or pin 68. Hinged at 86, to the inner end of the ta pct 83, is an arcuate pawl having the paw ing portion 87 thereof adapted for co-operative engagement with the spider tangential ratchet-teeth 36 aforesaid, under the action of a compression spring 88. This arcuate pawl.

also, has an integral downwardly directed limiting stop 89 adapted toabut the free end of the tappet 83, whereby the j aw-like angular separation of the parts 83, 87 is limited in opposition to the spring 88, It is also to be particularly noted that the just referred to 1 degree of angular separation ofthe parts 83, 87 is such as to permit rocking motion of said parts on the fulcrum 84 counter-clockwise without frictional resistance being set up.

In order to afford lateral support for the form 27, and carrier bars 46 when extended, and exterior, relative to the drying enclosure 8, we provide a lateral sector trackway 90, of angle cross-section material, braced by struts 91 to the enclosure framework. This trackway 90, as will be best appreciated by an examination of Fig. IV, aligns radially with the vertical ingress and egress slots 92, 93, respectively, while the bars 46, are each provided, adjacent their outer ends, with a ball caster 94 to eliminate friction during transit over said trackway.

To facilitate the operation of boar-ding" or reclothing the forms 27, as well as to insure their correct radial disposition to enter the drying enclosure 8, We employ laterally disposed angular cam devices 95, 96, the former of which is suitably configured to inipart an approximate quarterturn to each form 27 in opposition to its spring 48, whereas the latter positively ensures its return into planar alignment with the carrier bar 46, as will be readily understood from Figs. IV and V; it being observable that the cam 95, is attached to the vertical flange of the trackway 90, whereas the cam 96 is secured to the shell of the enclosure 8.

In operation, and assuming that the machine is-a-s shown-designed for drying hosiery, and that the annular spider 30, with attached rotatable bottom 13, is revolvablein a clockwise direction, and further, that a stripper operative is stationed at the location designated S, in Fig. IV, with a second boarding operative at B; it will be readily understood that as said spider is intermittently rotated, the forms 27 will be gradually progressed through the drying enclosure 8. Also, it will be easily appreciated from the preceding description of the co-ordinated instrumentalities, that, as each form 27 becomes aligned with the egress slot 93, the lateral lug or pin 82 will engage the depending stud outwardly project the carrier bar 46, and, concurrently therewith, advance the supported form 27 into a position exterior to the enclosure for stripping. It may be here noted that during the operation just set forth, the ball caster 94 first traverses over the radial part of the trackway 90, into a position upon the lateral flange of the sector portion thereof. Subsequent intermittent movements, of the spider 30, result in the form 27 being progressed. over the sector trackway 90, by successive stages, with a directly radial disposition, until it encounters the cam device 95, whereupon it will receive a substantial quartei turn into a more convenient position for rc-clothing with a fresh wet article to be dried, as will be clearly understood on an examination of Fig. IV, more particularly. The following intermittent movement imparted to the spider 30, elfects a dual operation. Firstly, the form 27 will be automatically returned into co-alignment with the associated carrier bar 46, under recoil action of its spring 48 and steady Jug co-action with the cam device 96; and, secondly, retractive movement into the drying enclosure 8, by the lug or pin 68 engaging the depending stud 49, thereby collapsing or telescoping the parts 46, 43 relative to the radial arm 38; said lug or pin 68, being progressed radially inwards, by means of the chain 64, and associated mechanisms hereinbefore described. Immediately the lug or pin 68, has collapsed or telescoped the parts 46, 43 and is disengaged from the stud, 49, consequent upon the continued travel of the chain 64, it advances into engagement with the outwardly directed arm of the rocker tappet 83, there by swinging the arcuate pawl 87 radially outwards; and, due to co-operative engagement with one of the tangential ratchet teeth 36, progresses the spider 30, and attached rotatable bottom 13 through an angle of ten degrcesassuming that the machine has been designed to accommodate thirty-six forms 27. It will, of course, be readily understood that the degree of progression given the annular spider 30, is controlled by the number of forms and radial arms 38, which the machine accommodates. Immediately the lug or pin 68 disengages from the outwardly directed portion of the rocker-tappet 83, it will be readily understood, by any one in the least conversant with the art, that the arcuate pawl 87 is automatically snapped radially backwards under counterweight action and expansion of the compression spring 88, to its normal position, or into engagement with the succeeding tangential tooth of the annular spider 30. Obviously, the progressive course the several clothed forms 27, through the drying enclosure 8, will be well understood without further description; while it will be--likewise-apparent that each successive form 27 is subjected to the same movements above described. Furthermore it will be clearly appreciated that the shell of the enclosure 8 is cut-away or horizontally-slotted to accommodate the travel of the carrier bars 46, and floating sections 43, when exterior thereto.

From the foregoing description, it is thought that the advantages and simplicity of our improved drying machine will be fully comprehended without further specific de scription. In addition to the compact arrangement, and inherent convenience of our novel drying machine, from the viewpoint of the operative, there is one feature which i s of particular importance, namely the ability to accomplish drying at moderate tempos atures.

Although we have described one practical embodiment oi. the invention, chosen to clearly illustrate its distinguishing characteristics and mode of operation, it is to be explicitly understood that the same is by way of example only; therefore, the right is hereby reserved to make all such reason able changes and modifications in structural details, as well as analogous combinations, to adapt said machine for other uses than the one specifically referred to, without departing from the spirit thereof, or sacrificing any of its advantages.

We do desire, however, to particularly emphasize the direct action of the forms 27 with relation to the rotary progressing spider 30 by alternate motion in a radially straight direction. Further, the annular spider 30 being disposed below the drying enclosure 8, outside the heat zone,along with the telescopic carrier bars and actuating mechanisms therefor, renders the machine much more economic in ope 'ation. Attention is also drawn to the fact, that while the openended radial slots 26 functiouas passageways for the forms 27, the said forms do not at any period of their movement contact with the edges ofsaid slots. Finally, it will be obvious that other appropriate 1nechanism than that shown, may be employed to reciprocate the carrier bars 46, hence we do not desire to be limited to the means described, in any respect, otherwise than as restricted by reasonable interpretation accorded the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention, ve claim:

1. A drying machine comprising an annular enclosure, means operative to intermittently progress a series of form carriers therethrough, and coordinated means for telescopic-ally ejectin and entering the form carriers by direct alternate motion for stripping and after reclothing, respectively.

2. A drying machine comprising an annular enclosure,means eii'ectivc to interniittently progress a series of form carriers therethrough, and means operative to radially telescope said carriers to eject and enter the formcarriers for stripping and after reclothing, respectively.

3. A drying machine comprising an annular enclosure through which form carriers are intermittently progressed, and means functional to telescopically eject and enter the form carrying sections along direct 'adial lines for stripping and after reclothing, respectively.

l. A drying machine comprising an annular enclosure, a series of extensil form carriers rotatable relative thereto, means operative to radially telescope said form carriers, and co-ordinated means for intern'iittently progressing the form carriers through the enclosure.

5. A drying machine comprising an annular enclosure, a rotatable radially-arn'ied conveyor thereunder, form carriers telescopic longitudinally of the conveyor arms, means operative to reciprocate said form carriers, and co-ordinated means functional to intermittently progress the conveyor aforesaid.

6. A drying machine con'iprising an annular enclosure, a revolvable bottom therefor provided with radial slots, an attached form carrier having telescopic arms aligned with the slots, means effective to simultaneously eject and return radially spaced forms for stripping and after reclothing, respectively, and means to concurrently progress clothed forms through the enclosure.

7. A drying machine comprising an annular enclosure, a revolvable bottom and subjacent radially-armed form carrier therefor,

pivotal forms telescopic relative to the car rier arms, means operative to eject and return the forms out of and into the enclosure, and co-ordinated mechanism adapted to intermittently progress the revolvable bottom and form carrier.

8. A drying machine comprising an annular enclosure, a revolvable radially slotted bottom and subjacent attached conveyor, said conveyor having undercut tangential teeth and a series of radially directed tubular arms, form carriers telescopic relative to the radial. arms, means operative to reciprocate the form carriers, and pawling mechanism co-operative with the tangential teeth, to intermittently progress the conveyor and attached slotted bottom.

9. In a drying machine having an annular enclosure, the combination of a horizontally rotatable conveyor and superposed radially slotted bottom, said conveyor having a series of tubular arms with telescopic form carricrs and complcmcntal undercut tangential teeth, and means effective to reciprocate spaced carriers in alternate directions.

10. In a drying machine having an annular enclosure, the combination of a horizontally rotatable conveyor and superposed radially slotted bottom, a series of tubular arms carried by the conveyor, telescopic sections therefor, one of which is a floating section and the other a form carrier, undercut tangential teeth below the conveyor, and means operative to intermittently reciprocate spaced carriers in alternate directions.

11. In a drying machine having an annular enclosure, the combination of a horizontally rotatable conveyor and superposed radially slotted bottom, a series of tubular arms carried by the conveyor, telescopic sections therefor, one of which is a floating section and the other a form carrier, undercut tangential teeth below the conveyor, means operative to intermittently reciprocate spaced carriers in alternate directions, and pawling means co-operative with the tangential teeth to concurrently progress the conveyor aforesaid.

12. In a drying machine having an annular enclosure, the combination of a horizontally rotatable conveyor and telescopic form carriers, means effective to eject successive form carriers for exterior progression over a sector trackway for stripping, co-ordinated means operative to return reclothed forms into the enclosure, and spring influenced pawling means adapted to intermittently progress the conveyor aforesaid.

13. In a drying machine having an annular enclosure and a telescopically-armedhorizontally rotatable form carrier, the combination of endless means having projecting members effective to eject and enter radially spaced forms for stripping and after reclothing, respectively, and co-ordinated llu pawling means operative to intermittently progress the form carrier aforesaid.

14. In a drying machine having an annular enclosure and a telescopically-armed horizontally rotatable form carrier, the combination of endless chains having lateral pins effective to eject and enter radially spaced forms for stripping and after reclothing, respectively, and means comprising a twoarmed rocker-tappet, with a spring influenced arcuate pawl hinged to one arm thereof, effective to intermittently progress the form carrier aforesaid.

15. In a drying machine having an annular enclosure, a horizontally rotatable form carrier, and telescopic means for radially ejecting and returning spaced forms relative to said enclosure, the combination of a sector trackvvay over which the forms are exteriorly progressed for stripping and after reclothing.

16. In a drying machine having an annular enclosure, a horizontally rotatable form carrier, and telescopic means for radially ejecting and returning spaced forms relative to said enclosure, the combination of a sector trackway over Which successive forms are exteriorly progressed, and means effective to impart a quarter-turn in reverse directions concurrently With successive progressional movements to facilitate reclothing.

17. In a drying machine having an annular enclosure, a horizontally rotatable form carrier, and means for ejecting and returning spaced forms relative to said enclosure,

the combination of a sector trackvvay over which successive forms are progressed for stripping, means to impart a quarter-turn to successive forms to facilitate reclothing,

and means to effect a reverse quarter-turn concurrent with re-entry into the enclosure.

18. In a drying machine having an annular enclosure, a horizontally rotatable form carrier, and means for simultaneously ejecting and returning spaced forms relative to said enclosure, the combination of a sector tracliway over Which successive forms are progressed for stripping, and means comprising opposed cam members effective to impart reverse quarter-turns to the forms whereby reclothing and return into the drying enclosure are facilitated.

19. In a drying machine having an annular enclosure, a horizontally rotatable conveyor having spring influenced forms pivoted thereon, and means for concurrently ejecting and returning spaced forms relative to said enclosure, the combination of a sector WALTER W. SIBSON. HARRY H. WIGGLESWORTH. 

